Today's Post is Brought to you by the Number 2!

Hannah has picked up several new phrases.  The problem is that no one knows what they are or where they came from.  For example she spent several days wandering around the house saying:  "Hot Poppa....UM DA!"  She shouts the UM DA part.  Eventually we found out what she was actually saying was "I love you...ALL DAY!"  We really don't know where she learned this, but I like it!  She says it with such feeling!  She has also started saying that she wants to go "to town".  Now, we know where this one came from:  her daddy.  He says he's "going to town" like he's Pa Ingalls, we live out in the prairie and we're going to town for our monthly provisions.  Also, she has decided that "two" is the number of choice.  She wants two of everything.  She totally leaves out number one and begins every counting sequence with two.  She wants two crayons, two spoons, two cups, two hats, two, two TWO!!!

The Wall is Done!

The wall is done.  The idea is to climb the rock wall over the pool.  Unfortunately, the wall was finished before the pool, so you are actually climbing over a huge concrete pit.  Which can be scary.  Scary to watch and scary to be a participant.  There is video of me climbing the wall, but it took me over 5 minutes to climb up and down, and that means the file to large to upload to this blog.  How sad is that?  By the way, this footage was taken before the Boddeker Flu Epidemic of 2008.

This Blog is Using a Sick Day

Faithful friends and family, please come back to visit this blog.  It will be updated, it will be riveting, it will be exciting.  At the very least, it will have a new picture.  I actually went to the doctor today (a miracle in and of itself!) and received a report of the flu (again!), ear infection and upper respiratory infection.  Oh, I feel bad.  I confronted my doctor about his lying promise of the flu shot, and he dismissed me with a wave of the hand.  Then I breathed and coughed on him and laughed maniacally on my way out of the door.   There are really no suitable pictures to accompany the flu, so I'll just pass.  Maybe I can get Holly to guest post this week!

Improper Use of the Air Hockey Table

I've been away at a meeting in Birmingham, but before I left Hannah, Holly and I had some fun with the air hockey table.

Valentine's Day Roses from Grandpa

Grandpa never forgets Valentine's Day.  He sends roses for the girls and chocolate for Christian!  Hannah loved the smell of the rose.

Don't Try This at Home

Unless you are a tough girl!

Best Laid Plans

My Valentine and I had very special plans.  We had plans AND Grandma to watch Hannah.  You know what happens when you make plans, right?  Someone gets the flu.  Even when someone got the flu shot for the FIRST TIME EVER!!!!  The big liars didn't tell me that sometimes the flu strain changes and this year was one of those years and the shot?  Well, it just doesn't work this year.  Sorry, we tried.  Nothing makes you feel romantic like tissues stuffed up your sleeve.

She Does More Before 9a.m. Than Most People Do All Day!

A day in the life!

Snow! Finally!! The first real snow this year. Hannah did not want to come inside, but I finally lured her in with the promise of a warm bath!

Once you get all cleaned up and realize you have no place to go, it's often nice to go to your big sister's room (also known as "Nirvana" to Hannah or "Choking Hazard Central" to me) and have a tea party!

Friends

Hannah and her cousin Gracie played together the other day. There was some running, jumping on the trampoline, discussion of hats and holding hands. Then someone threw a fit and had to go inside and take a nap. I'm not going to name names, but it wasn't Gracie.

Happy Feet!

Hannah has 'em!!

It Takes a Village

My Mom and Dad live in The Villages, a retirement community in Florida that became so large that it now has it's own zip code and Barnes & Noble.  Everyone in The Villages has their own golf cart with their names printed on the front.  You drive your golf cart to Wal-mart, Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks drive thru, and nightly to the Town Square for dancing.

A few weeks ago Mom tore her meniscus.  It's pretty painful and she is going to physical therapy.  She's not sure if she hurt herself while playing pickle ball,

 dancing at the square,

 or when she teaches water aerobics.  I would really have no trouble narrowing down such an injury.  It would be the time I got up off the couch and did exercise.  That time.  Anyway, Mom is doing physical therapy hoping to avoid surgery.  I called this week to see how she is doing.  Then I called again, then I called their cell phones, then I tried again.  Then, when I was getting ready to begin calling neighbors to have someone check on them, they returned my call.  It seems that they took a quick cruise to the Bahamas.  They were certain that they told me.  They were very sorry to worry me.  I'm pretty sure that I heard Dad in the background snickering something about karma or payback or "years of worry."  I was informed that they went with 20 or so neighbors so I wouldn't have been able to find anyone to check on them anyway.

The good news is that she should be healed by the time they go on their Alaskan cruise.  Retirement- Great work if you can get it!!

Dear Mom and Dad, 

I'm sorry for the public fussing, but it's for your own good.

Love,

Natalie

Chuck E Cheese is a Big, Scary Mouse

Cassie had a birthday party to attend, so we thought we'd torture the entire family by going to Chuck E Cheese. Hannah wasn't fond of Chuck. She wanted to blow kisses from afar, but didn't really want to see him up close. She did love the disco ball, however!


Chuck E Cheese is not a place you want to go on a Friday night. Weekend nights sure aren't what they used to be! Do you hear all the noise? Yeah, well, I'm sitting in the corner with my brain slowly leaking out of my ears.

Here's what Paul was doing!!

Return of the Tickle Monster

Daddy doing what he does best: making our baby LAUGH!!! I don't care what kind of day you've had, this will make you giggle!

Everyone's a Critic

While I was singing Hannah to sleep this evening, she told me to "Stop it!" I'll admit that I can't carry a tune, but how can you mess up Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star?

Christian the Tank Engine

Somehow, Hannah learned to say "All Aboard!" without my knowledge. I guess you never know when that might come in handy!

Dog Talk

It's so sweet that she doesn't really care if Bella talks back. She still wants to tell her about her day. I think Bella looks very interested.

Bubbles

It was such a beautiful day out today! Hannah got to experience the joy of bubbles, both blowing them and eating them.

Very Similar to My Job

Boo!

Don't mind the chit chat going on in the background!  This girl is scary!  She scares her mommy, her sister and even herself.